Compensation quest backing

Industry Minister Nigel Griffiths has backed North East MP Kevan Jones in urging the Law Society to ensure solicitors who have double-charged miners over claims for compensation for industrial diseases pay the cash back.

Industry Minister Nigel Griffiths has backed North East MP Kevan Jones in urging the Law Society to ensure solicitors who have double-charged miners over claims for compensation for industrial diseases pay the cash back.

They are both deeply concerned that some lawyers have charged claimants for fees already being paid for by the Government.

Durham North MP Mr Jones asked Mr Griffiths in the Commons: "Are you aware that many solicitors are paying money back to only when complaints are made?"

Mr Griffiths said: "I certainly join you in pressing the Law Society to ensure that those solicitors - a minority, I understand - who may have double-charged go through their list of clients and pay back any double payment."